Mexico struck for four runs in the top of the first inning to hand the Fulton Lady Hornets their first loss of the season 6-1 in a clash between the NCMC rivals at the high school athletic complex Thursday night.
Mexico senior starter Paytience Lawson-Holman limited Fulton (7-1, 3-1 North Central Missouri Conference) to just five hits. Already up 4-0, the Lady Bulldogs tacked on single runs in the third and sixth.
The Lady Hornets avoided being shut out when senior shortstop Haden Trowbridge homered to left leading off the bottom of the seventh.
Sophomore right fielder Kayla Neal was 1-for-2 for Fulton. Trowbridge, sophomore catcher Paige Clines, senior center fielder Grace Sparks and sophomore first baseman Hayden Echelmeier were each 1-for-3.
Junior starter Taylor Kettle went the distance in suffering her first loss of the season for the Lady Hornets. Kettle (3-1) allowed six runs - four earned - on 13 hits, struck out two and issued five walks.
"It was a tough night for us at the plate," Fulton head coach Tim Echelmeier said. "The Mexico pitcher is solid, and we didn't make the adjustments needed to get something going.
"The ladies are off to a great start this year, and I know they'll learn from this game and continue to improve going forward."
The Lady Hornets will look to rebound when they host former NCMC foe Boonville at 5 p.m. Monday.